Ben Cahill
Non-Resident Fellow, AGSI; Director, Energy Markets and Policy, Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis, University of Texas at Austin
Ben Cahill is a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute. He is director of energy markets and policy at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis and is based in Washington, DC. He covers geopolitics and macro trends affecting the oil and gas industry. He has led research initiatives on methane emissions and global gas, analyzed how national oil companies are responding to the energy transition, and covered the market and geopolitical impact of U.S. liquefied natural gas exports. Cahill was formerly a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and is now a senior associate of the program. Prior to CSIS, Cahill was a director in Energy Intelligence’s Research & Advisory group and led its country risk practice. He also wrote on corporate strategy and covered Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and the Southeast Asian national oil companies. Cahill formerly worked at PFC Energy (now part of S&P Global) in Washington, DC, and Kuala Lumpur, focusing on country risk and macro trends in the oil and gas industry. He has an MA in international affairs and economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in international relations and English from Boston University.
Analysis
A Glimpse of UAE Oil Export Plans
A brief reopening of oil exports in June suggested the path ahead for the United Arab Emirates.
7 min read
Gulf Exporters Monitor Impact of Russian Oil Sanctions
A decision by President Trump to bring the hammer down on Rosneft and Lukoil could be just what the doctor ordered for Gulf oil exporters.
9 min read
OPEC+ Tests the Shale Sector
OPEC+ producers are increasing output in the face of a global economic downtown. This will be a major test for non-OPEC producers, but OPEC+ seems confident that time is on its side.
9 min read
Trump 2.0: Oil Market Implications for the Gulf States
As Trump seeks to maximize U.S. oil and gas output and choke off Iran’s oil exports, he will have no qualms about leaning into oil market issues.
6 min read
Why Gulf National Oil Companies Are Investing in U.S. LNG
Gulf national oil companies represent a new pool of capital for global gas investment, and with some of their first forays in the United States, Gulf gas deals suggest Washington’s relations with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are improving.
15 min read
Everything at Once: Transformation of Abu Dhabi’s Oil Policy
Abu Dhabi traditionally managed its oil and gas resources cautiously and conserved hydrocarbon wealth for future generations, but the energy transition is reshaping its strategy.
1 min read
Events
Sep 9, 2026
Preparing for the Gulf’s Economic Infrastructure Buildout
On September 9, AGSI hosted a discussion on Gulf infrastructure development post-Iran war.
Sep 15, 2022
China-Gulf Initiative: Evolving Chinese Demand for Gulf Energy and Geopolitical Implications
On September 15, as part of the China-Gulf Initiative, AGSIW hosted a discussion examining energy relations between China and the Gulf states.
Speakers
Jul 8, 2021
The Future of OPEC+ and Saudi-UAE Relations
On July 8, AGSIW hosted a private briefing on the developing OPEC+ dispute and the repercussions for the future of the alliance as well as Saudi-UAE relations.
Apr 14, 2021
The Transformation of Abu Dhabi’s Oil Industry
Ben Cahill discussed the fundamental shift in Abu Dhabi's oil policy since 2016.
Speakers
Oct 21, 2020
What Are the Prospects for Natural Gas in the Transition to a Lower Carbon World?
The coronavirus pandemic has delivered an unprecedented shock to the global natural gas market.